Nothing used to bother me more when I was starting my business than hearing the phrase “fail often, fail forward.” While I understood what they were trying to say, I always thought it was a silly way to describe the entrepreneurial journey. It is true that we are going to face a lot of hardships in business, and things simply will not always go our way. But what happens when failure isn’t an option?
It is strange to me to romanticize failure in business. While you learn a lot when things don’t go your way, one of the main skill sets of an entrepreneur is to ignore the possibility of failure even though it is theoretically present. Constantly inviting failure over for dinner just doesn’t seem like a great way to control it. It is a waste of the very limited energy that you have to spend time strategizing through all the ways you could fail.
There is a distinction between embracing failure and constant iteration. You should always be learning from things that aren’t working and charting a new path. Some may see this as a distinction without a difference, but I beg to differ. There is a finality in failure that I just don’t think can be a part of the entrepreneurial process.
I deal with failure when I run into it, but I don’t spend any time seeking it out. If we don’t run into each other, that works better for me. This isn’t the same thing as staying in denial. I remain clear-headed when things aren’t going well, but I don’t experience them as potential failures, just challenges.
It is also important to be in environments where others approach the process in the same way you do. My partner for this blog, the MBA Programs at Kennesaw State University, embodies this mindset. The professors and students at KSU understand that while setbacks are inevitable, they are not final. The focus is on learning, adapting, and moving forward with a determination to succeed. The University has a ton of resources available to students to ensure they are more focused on achieving their degree and future goals than worrying about making it through the program. That is the type of learning environment that promotes excellence and keeps people focused on what matters most.
Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share this perspective and attitude is essential. It reinforces the idea that while failure may be a part of the journey, it is not the destination. The goal is to build resilience, continually improve, and ultimately achieve success.
Failure isn’t an option if you view it not as an endpoint but as a stepping stone. Embrace the lessons that come from setbacks, but always keep your eyes on the destination. Surround yourself with those who understand this, and you’ll find that the entrepreneurial journey is not about failing often, but about succeeding often.
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